Q Mr. President, thank you very much, indeed, for talking to us
here today. Let me start by seeing if we can perhaps make a little bit
of news.

Liberia, many West African leaders have asked you to send U.S.
peacekeeping troops to join a multinational stabilization force in
Liberia. Are you going to? If so, how many and for how long?

THE PRESIDENT: We're in the process of determining the course of
action necessary to see that peace and stability reign in Liberia. And
some of our military people are meeting with ECOWAS leaders today. And
I haven't made a decision yet.

Q Are you closing in on a decision?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Every day that goes by is closer to a
decision. But I need -- before I make decisions, I like to have facts,
and I'm gathering the facts necessary to determine what is necessary,
who's willing to participate.

The one thing that must happen is Charles Taylor has got to leave.
A condition for any kind of operation that stabilizes the country is
for Mr. Taylor to leave the country, and hopefully we can achieve that
objective diplomatically. Colin Powell is working closely with Kofi
Annan and others at the United Nations to prepare the groundwork, if
possible, for Mr. Taylor's departure.

Q Let me switch countries, if I may, and ask you about
Zimbabwe. A short while ago your Secretary of State, Colin Powell,
wrote in The New York Times that "South Africa can and should play a
stronger and more sustained role in resolving matters in Zimbabwe."
Specifically, what would you like to see President Thabo Mbeki do in
Zimbabwe, that he's not already doing?

THE PRESIDENT: Insist that there be elections. Insist that
democracy rule. Insist that the conditions necessary for that country
to become prosperous again are in place.

I agree with the Secretary of State. I certainly don't want to put
any pressure on my friend, but Zimbabwe has not been a good case study
for democracy in a very important part of the world. And we hope that,
not only Mr. Mbeki, but other leaders convince the current leadership
to promote democracy.

Q Do you think quiet diplomacy can work?

THE PRESIDENT: I hope any kind of diplomacy can work. So far,
diplomacy hasn't worked, that's part of the problem. You know, it's an
interesting question. I guess writing an article may not be viewed as
quiet diplomacy, since it was quite public. But I also have spoken out
on Zimbabwe -- it's a bad example.

Let me give you one reason why. There's a lot of starving people
in sub-Sahara Africa, yet, Zimbabwe used to be able to grow more than
it needed to help deal with the starvation. We're a nation that is
interested in helping people that are starving. We're going to spend a
billion dollars this year on programs to help the hungry. It would be
really helpful if Zimbabwe's economy was such that they would become a
breadbasket again, a capacity to grow more food that's needed so that
we could help -- they could help deal with the hunger.

And, yet, the country is in such that, you know, in such a
condition that the agricultural sector of its economy is in shambles
right now.

Q On HIV, you surprised many in Washington by the vigor with
which you've embraced the battle to combat HIV/AIDS. Some say you
could do even more by more enthusiastically embracing debt relief for
Africa. You favor it enthusiastically for Iraq; why not more
enthusiastically for Africa?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, let me start with the HIV program. I mean,
enthusiasm is to the tune of $15 billion -- that's pretty darn
enthusiastic -- to deal with the pandemic. And I also have agreed to
increase the direct developmental aid grants from the United States by
50 percent.

However, we expect countries -- whether they be in Africa or
anywhere else -- that are applying for this money to embrace the habits
of a free country, like transparency, anti-corruption, making sure the
people are educated and receive health care. So we're doing a lot in
America.

There is a program in place for debt relief. And I would like to
see that program implemented in full. I also called for the World Bank
to give more grants rather than loans. And so our program across the
board is compassionate, in my judgment, because we care about Africa
and we care about the people of Africa.

Q And as you head to Africa, you are obviously aware that there
are a large number of people on the continent who disagree with many of
your policies, particularly your decision to move into Iraq -- some of
them very prominent personalities.

When a statesman like former South African President Nelson Mandela
says the very personal things about you that he has said in the past
and continues to say even this week, that's got to hurt.

THE PRESIDENT: No. I did the right thing. My job is to make sure
America is secure. And if some don't like the tactics, that's the
nature of a free world, where people can express their opinion.

I admire Nelson Mandela. As a matter of fact, my administration
was the one that gave him the Medal of Freedom because of his courage
and bravery. I just happen to disagree with him on his view of how
best to secure America.

But you can be rest assured that if I think America is threatened,
I will act. And, you know, I understand criticism. I mean, look, but
I'm not the kind of person that runs around trying to take a poll to
determine what to do. If I believe it's necessary for my country, I
will act.

I also believe it's necessary when we see people enslaved, to work
on behalf of their freedom. Because this country believes that freedom
is the desire of every human heart. And one of the great benefits of
our action in Iraq is not only going to make America more secure, but
it's going to make the Iraqi people more free. And, you know, these
mass graves we're finding is just the tip of the iceberg about what
these poor people had to suffer at the hands of Saddam Hussein. And
it's that kind of suffering that troubles me. And I believe the use of
-- proper use of power by America will make the world more peaceful,
America more secure and, as importantly, people more free.